Black Country soldier Michelle Norris, who dodged sniper fire to save an injured colleague, was praised by the Queen for her bravery as she was presented with the Military Cross.

Private Norris, 19, has entered the history books by becoming the first woman to receive the medal for gallantry.

She was presented with the award in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace yesterday by the Queen, who told the teenager of her pride in giving her the accolade.

Read the full story in the Express & Star.

Black Country soldier Michelle Norris, who dodged sniper fire to save an injured colleague, was praised by the Queen for her bravery as she was presented with the Military Cross.

Private Norris, 19, has entered the history books by becoming the first woman to receive the medal for gallantry.

She was presented with the award in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace yesterday by the Queen, who told the teenager of her pride in giving her the accolade.

Pte Norris, of Amblecote, Stourbridge, was accompanied to the ceremony by her parents Susan and Pete, along with elder sister Tina. 

The teenager, who is serving with the Royal Armoured Medical Corps, is currently on a training course in Aldershot and travelled to London specially for the ceremony. 

But there was little time for Pte Norris to celebrate as she returned to barracks to continue her training when the ceremony ended. She added: “I was a little nervous but The Queen was brilliant. She told me she was proud to be presenting me with the award and asked me some questions about if I’d be going back to Iraq.”  

Speaking after the ceremony, Michelle’s mother Susan said it had been one of the proudest moments of her life.

“We are all so proud of Michelle,” she said.